Alabama

9:13 am

Tue September 28, 2004

Judge Considers Community Service Grants

Montgomery, AL – A Montgomery County Circuit judge says he'll rule within a month on the constitutionality of community service grants. The Alabama Legislature reserves money for such grants for lawmakers' communities. However, opponents of the process call it by another name - legislative pork. Hugh McInnish sued state officials, saying the process is unconstitutional. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick held a hearing on the suit Tuesday. While that issue awaits a decision, legislators say they will not distribute community service grants. The new state education budget that takes effect Friday contains 11-point-seven million dollars for such grants.